Means for fastening shoes.



W. L. BUCKMAN.

MEANS FOR FASTENING SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2a. 1916.

Patented Dec. 4, 1917.

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WARREN Ir. BUCKMAN, 0F AMBERC-r, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE IALF T0 JULIUS I.

CORN, 0F AMBEBG, WISCONSIN.

MEANS FOR FASTENING SHOE$.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 4, lllgf t.

Application filed Gctober 26, 1916. Serial No. 127,942.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, WARREN L. B'UCKMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Amberg, Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Means for Fastening Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to improved means for fastening shoes and relates more particularly to improved button means. a

The general object of my invention is to provide a shoe fastener which shall be s mple, cheap, and durable and wherewith shoes can be fastened and unfastened quickly and easily.

A further object of my invention is to provide shoe fastening means wherewith shoes can be fastened and unfastened with out the necessity of a tool of any kind; which shall be of pleasing appearance; and which shall hide a considerable portion of the button hole.

My invention consists generally in the form, construction, arrangement and cooperation of parts whereby the above named objects, together with others which will ap pear hereinafter, are attainable; and my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings "which illustrate the preferred embodiment thereof. In said drawings,

Figure 1, is a side elevation of a shoe equipped with fastening devices embodying my invention.

Fig. 2, is a somewhat enlarged vlew substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, same being partly in section andpartly in elevation.

Fig. 3, is a detached view of the button in the condition shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is a top plan view of the button in the position shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, is a View of a staple for fastening button to shoe upper; and

Fig. 6, is a view partly in section and partly in elevation substantially on the hue 6-6 of Fig. 3.

There are two general types of shoe fastening devices, to wit; the lace construction and the button construction. The shoe button is preferred by many users but in the form now in general use, is objectionable 1n that a button hook is necessary to fasten them which at times is not conveniently accessible, and which furthermore, is somewhat inconvenient to manipulate. I have provlded a construction which can be quickly and easily fastened and unfastened without a tool of any kind and which furthermore, considerably enhances the appearance of the shoe. To this end, I provide a supporting base preferably, though not necessarily, of metal which is secured to the under of the over-lapping portion of the shoe upper and upstanding from which is a post upon which button head is pivotally or hingedly mounted. This head is preferably somewhat pointed at one end and is formed for placement in a plane substantially parallel to that of the post in which conditionthe point extends outwardly, and in a position substantially at right-angles to the post. When the button head, is in a position substantially parallel with the post, the point thereof may be readily entered into the button hole and a little pressure upon the upper flap readily opens the button hole, permitting passage of the head therethrough after which the button head is turned to a position substantially at right angles to the post and substantially parallel with the adjacent shoe upper. .The shoe buttons may be constructed in various ways, and in the drawings, I have shown the button as comprising a somewhat rectangularly shaped foot 2, formed of wire the terminals of which are bent up to form the post 3. The post 3, in this instance, has projecting ear portions 4, extending from the upper free ends. I provide a head 5, which is generally an elongated wedge having a relatively sharp point 6, and a somewhat rounding but smooth opposite end 7. The head 5, is pivoted to the ears 4, and a flat spring 8, is provided to press against the ears and to hold the parts in any placed position against normal forces tending to move them; 10 and 11, are respectively the upper and lower over-lapping flap portions of the shoe top, the flap portion 10, being provided with a plurality of button holes 12, of usual construction. One fastening device is secured to the lower flap 11, under each button hole. When the shoe is to be fastened the button head is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2, when, as before stated, the button hole may be readily pressed over the wedge shaped button head and when the flap is over the head, is turned to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1

and in dotted lines in Fig. 2. It should be 'ment of the staple and foot is prevented and the button heldfirmly in place. With the foot also I secure a relatively large bearing Which aids in comfortably holding the butt onin place.

I claim 1. Means for connecting the over-lapping parts ofa shoe comprising a support formed of wire bent into a loop to form a relatively broad foot adapted to be permanently secured to the lower of said over-lapping parts and having an integral, outstanding post at one side, and an elongated head pointed, at one end hinged to said post and movable into position for insertion through a slot in the, other part and afterward folded over saidslot.

2; Means for connecting the over-lapping parts of a shoe comprising a support formed of wire bent into a loop to form a foot having oppositely disposed inset portions adapted to receive the fastening means for per- Gopies of this patent may be obtained for manently securing the support to the lower of said over-lapping parts and having an integral outstanding post, and an elongated head pointed at one end hinged to said post and movable into position for insertion through a slot in the other part and afterward folded over said slot.

8. Means for connecting the over-lapping parts of a shoe comprising a support formed of wire bent into a loop to form a foot having oppositely disposed inset portions adapted to receive the fastening means for permanently securing the support to the lower of said over-lapping parts and having an integral outstanding post formed by the ends of the wire which terminate in transversely alined pintles, a hollow elongated head pointed at one end hinged on said pintles and adapted to be moved into line with the post for insertion through a buttonhole in the upper over-lapping part and afterward swung perpendicular to said post to hold the parts together and cover a part of the buttonhole, and a spring in the head to retain the latter in either of its positions.

In testimony thereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 16th day of October, 1916, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

W. L. BUCKMAN.

Witnesses A. C. REDEMAN, C. F. YOUNG.

Washington, D. G. 

